But good news: They were kind enough to replace it with a new one, one with an extra panel reading “RETIRED.” My boss, half-seriously, asked how long it’d be before I was calling to report it missing. They’ve always turned up safe (usually between the seat & console, in a usually-unused pocket, wherever) but for eighteen years I’ve been notorious for misplacing my ID.

I was eligible to retire a few months back, but only started running the numbers and weighing post-Fed options when my wife got a scary diagnosis early in the summer. Although her prognosis is excellent, it helped—forced, really-- a reassessment of priorities in a good way, It was time. I was still having a good time, I had an incredible group of co-workers and managers, but it was time.

Yesterday was still bittersweet. More than twenty agents and supervisors have come and/or gone from my office since I came over. Only three of the strangers I met on my first day are still working, and they’re now some of my closest friends. Friday was a purposely quiet day. I didn’t want commotion—we’ll all get together for a “real” retirement lunch in a few weeks—and the stars aligned perfectly for that, since it was a Friday before a Federal holiday. The place was empty except for me and the boss.

My supervisor, who was my partner for seventeen years before she was my boss, drove me home. As I was getting out, she just pointed at the pocket in the passenger door. She’s done that countless times since 2004. This time, it was to tell me that it’d taken me precisely one hour to misplace my newly-minted retirement credentials.

I’m not sure if there’s a specific schedule I’m supposed to keep now, but I am looking forward to being the old guy who bitches about what things USED to cost, telling kids to stay off the lawn, and starting to knock things off the list of Stuff I Need To Do When I Get A Minute.

That’s awesome. I hope you enjoy the hell out of it. My retirement is a 30-year one, I’ve got about 13 years left to get there…one day!

And you can get a little tracker for your credentials so you can find them lol

Congratulations!

Congrats Dennis!

Congrats! Let me know when you want to head north for a visit!

Congratulations.
Hope you enjoy a long and healthy retirement.

Congratulations!

You’ve spent most of your years making a living. It’s time to go make a life. Enjoy!

Congrats! Best gig I've ever had.

Go to bed when you're tired. Get up when you're not. For the most part, do whatever trips yer trigger in between.

Congratulations!

April 14, 1995 was my last day following 24 years (two fed, 7 state, 15 local). By May 1, 1995 I was owner of a new business. November 4, 2015 I sold the business and retired for good.

Next month I am subject to the Required Minimum Distributions for qualified retirement accounts and will start drawing on those funds for the first time. The account balances look a lot better now, having had another 27 years to grow!

Good luck! It takes some getting used to retirement as a lifestyle.

All the best going forward, Dennis

Congratulations on your well-earned retirement!

Every day is Saturday now for you!

Congratulation to you! Enjoy it to the fullest!

Congrats! I didn’t get a “retired” badge as they don’t issue them…the guy at the uniform issue locker took my stuff, checked the box, signed off on it, and handed me back my badge along with my “retired” credentials. He found me a few weeks later and gave me my duty gun. I understand the bittersweet remarks…I sometimes miss the job because it truly was the best show on earth. But a few years out from that day, I enjoy doing what I want when I want.

Enjoy your retirement, and best wishes for Mrs. Dennis.

Awesome Dennis!!!

Well done! However, you'll find that 'you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave'.

You never really retire, you just go on indefinite vacation!

Enjoy!

Congrats. I have a couple years left myself and can't wait.

Congrats!! Enjoy retirement!

My congrats on being able to retire while you’re still healthy and able to enjoy what life should be.

Glad to hear it was a positive prognosis for the missus.

Congrats, retirement was the smartest career move I've ever made. Of course, within less than a year I had a commission with another agency, though they let me come and go as I please.

Of course, it hasn't been all wine and roses. My last court case drug on for years and finally concluded last month. And the last official call I went on, the day before my last, was the death of an infant, so I couldn't have gone out with a worse case.

Funny how I misplaced my shield on the last day and couldn't turn it in. My boss just smiled, and then I had to pay for a "retired" shield.

Nonetheless, I'm enjoying the hell out of retirement and you will too.